a thing done
the process of doing something
He was in the act of opening the door
(often Act)
a formal record of something done or transacted
= statute (1)
a decree or edict
any of the principal divisions of a play or opera
any of the successive parts or performances in an entertainment, e.g. a circus
a display of affected behaviour; a pretence
Her show of concern was just an act
a particular kind of behaviour
He was doing his Robin Hood act
be/get in on the act
to be or become involved in a situation or undertaking, esp for one's own advantage
get one's act together
informal to organize one's affairs and become more efficient
[Middle English; partly from Latin actus doing, act, from agere to drive, do; partly from Latin actum thing done, record, neuter of actus]